The evening sun spilled golden light across the living room, filling every corner with warmth. Ratna stood quietly by the doorway, hands resting gently on the railing, savoring the sight before her.

Anjali and Aman were seated on the floor, a chessboard between them. Anjali groaned as Aman calmly moved his piece for the third time in a row.

“Ah! I lost again,” Anjali groaned, pushing her hair back.

Aman raised an eyebrow, smiling. “You’re overthinking. Just play your moves.”

“One day, Aman,” she said firmly, her voice laced with determination, “I will defeat you.”

Aman leaned back slightly, a teasing smile playing on his lips, but before he could reply, Manohar, who was seated beside them, chuckled warmly.

“You say that every single time, Anjali,” he said, shaking his head in amusement.

Manorama waved her hand dramatically, laughing. “Hello hi bye bye! Don’t mind him, Anjali bitiya. I am proud of you.”

Aman let out a soft laugh, raising an eyebrow. “Proud? Of what?”

“Of her,” Mami replied without hesitation.

Akash chuckled, sat near to Aman as he gestured toward the chessboard. “For losing again and again?”

Aman couldn’t hold back his laughter this time, and soon both he and Akash shared a lighthearted high-five, their laughter echoing in the room.

Anjali glares at them. “Aman, don’t laugh too much! One day, I will beat you and Arnav in chess". she said, crossing her arms.

Aman laughed, shaking his head. “You? Beat Arnav? You barely survive against me.”

Devyani, watching from another seat of sofa, allowed a small, rare smile to appear. Even in her strictness, she couldn’t help but feel proud of her children and the life around her.

On the other side, Ranta who was watching the family with a soft, content smile. The warmth in the room was undeniable—laughter, teasing, the comfort of togetherness.

Ratna's smile faded almost instantly, a faint ache stirred within her chest—a familiar, lingering pain. The absence of her eldest son pressed heavily against her heart. It was strange how a house full of people could still feel incomplete… just because one person chose to stay away.

Arnav had always preferred being alone.

But this… this wasn’t just solitude.

There was a time when his silence was only on his lips but his eyes still spoke volumes. They used to burn with emotions.. happiness, anger, pain, even hatred. Who knows him well could read him if they looked closely enough.

Now, there was nothing.

Just silence.

A cold, impenetrable stillness that had taken over him completely. It wasn’t that he didn’t feel anymore. It was as if he had locked everything away so deeply that no one could reach it… not even himself.

Ranta lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slightly in her lap. A mother always knows.

And she knew, he was breaking, quietly, where no one could see him.

Lost in her own thoughts, Ratna did not realize when her steps led her into the garden. The evening was calm, with a gentle breeze in the air, but her mind was far from peaceful. Slowly, she sat down on a chair, her eyes fixed ahead, yet seeing nothing.

She was completely unaware of her surroundings.

After some time, Devyani—Dadi—came there, looking for her. The moment she saw Ratna sitting alone like that, so still and distant, a slight worry appeared on her face. She walked toward her.

Ratna blinked, as if returning from somewhere far away. She looked up at her and after a brief pause said quietly, “I was thinking about Chotte… I want him to get married.”

Dadi sighed, settling into the chair beside her. “I want that too,” she admitted, “but you know him. He refuses every time we even mention marriage.”

Ratna’s expression slowly turned firm, her eyes showing a quiet determination. “But Maaji, this time we have to make him agree. And if he refuses again…” she paused, her voice lowering slightly, “you know what will happen.”

Dadi fell silent.

The unspoken thought crossed her mind, and it was enough to make her uneasy. A faint fear settled in her heart as she thought about the consequences.

No .... She could not let that happen again.

“You are right, Ratna,” Dadi said after a moment, her voice steady but serious. “We have to make him agree. And only you can do that.”

Ratna nodded slowly. “Ji, Maaji. I will talk to Chotte.”

Just then, Anjali approached them. She took a seat beside Ratna, glancing between the two.

“What are you both talking about, Maa?” she asked.

Ratna didn’t hesitate this time. “We were talking about Chotte’s marriage.”

Anjali paused, a slight hesitation crossing her face. “But Maa…” she began, only to be interrupted.

“I know what you’re going to say,” Ratna cut in gently but firmly. “But this time, I am not going to listen to him. He has to get married.”

Anjali fell silent.

She nodded slowly, though her thoughts remained unsettled, and after a moment, she quietly stood up and walked away.

She wanted this too. More than anyone, she wished to see her brother married, to see him happy… to see him live again. If that day came, she would be the happiest person in the world.

And yet…

There was something about Ratna’s behavior that always left her uneasy whenever Arnav’s marriage was mentioned. A strange urgency. A hidden fear.

A secret.

She had asked before—many times. But every time, they avoided the truth. Eventually, she stopped asking. But the silence still remained.

At Night ........ Around 8 : 00 PM ....

Ratna was busy setting the dining table as the rest of the family gathered and took their seats. The room was filled with the sound of clinking plates and casual chatter. Just then, Arvind walked in and sat down. As Ratna began serving his food, he looked around the table and realized someone was missing.

"Where is Chotte?" Arvind asked, looking directly at Ratna.

Ratna didn't look up. "He isn't feeling well. He’s resting in his room."

Arvind paused, his spoon mid-air. "What happened to him? And why didn't anyone tell me?"

He looked around the table, but everyone suddenly went quiet. The silence was heavy, and Arvind knew immediately that something was wrong. He turned back to Ratna, waiting for a real answer.

"He has a cold," Ratna said softly. "He got drenched in the rain."

"What?" Arvind gasped. He was so shocked he could barely speak. "But... how?"

He was stunned into silence. He knew his son hated the rain more than anything and he drenched in the rain It is hard for him to believe in it.

Mami shook her head, her eyes wide. "We don't know either, Bhai Sahab. We were all shocked when we saw him... hello, hi, bye-bye!"

Ratna sighed, looking down at the table. "When I tried to talk to him, he just walked away. He was so angry he wouldn't say a word. But I know Aman is with him. He’ll take care of him, and Arnav’s temper will cool down soon."

Arvind nodded slowly, his face serious. "Alright. But listen—no one is to mention this to him."

Everyone nodded and went back to their food. The room grew quiet again as they ate. Ratna sat in her chair, but she wasn't thinking about her meal. She knew this was the right moment to say what was on her mind.

She looked up, catching everyone’s attention.

"I want to talk about something very important," Ratna said. The table went still, and everyone looked toward her.

"Maji and I have made a decision," she continued, her voice steady. "It’s time for Arnav to get married. In fact, the Pandit is coming tomorrow to look at the dates."

Everyone at the table smiled, happy to hear the news. But Aman didn't join in. He felt a knot of worry in his chest. He knew exactly how Arnav felt about marriage. After everything that had happened in the past, Arnav hated the idea of love and relationships.

Aman looked down, silently praying. Please, let the girl Ratna choosers be the right one. Let her be someone who can finally bring happiness back into his life.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by Arvind’s voice.

"Do whatever you think is right," Arvind said, looking at Ratna. "But you will not force him. Arnav must choose this for himself."

Ratna sighed. "I know. But you know he has to get married, or else..."

Before she could finish the sentence, Arvind reached out and squeezed her hand. He gave a small, sharp nod, signaling her to stop talking. He understood exactly what she was afraid of, but he didn't want the others to hear it.

Across the table, Anjali watched them closely. She didn't say a word, but she hadn't missed the look they shared or the unfinished sentence. She knew they were hiding something.

Meanwhile .... At Gupta House

Khushi was busy serving food to everyone. She moved around the table with a kind smile, making sure every plate was full. Payal sat down and looked at her sister.

"Khushi," Payal said, "Could you make a Chikankaari design on my dupatta? My friend’s wedding is tomorrow, and I really want to wear it."

Khushi smiled brightly. "Don't worry, Jiji. I’ll have it ready for you."

Payal nodded and began eating. Nearby, Shashi watched Khushi. His heart ached for her. He saw how she worked to make everyone else happy, but no one seemed to think about her. He knew Madhumati never missed a chance to taunt her, yet Khushi just hid her grief behind a smile.

He cleared his throat and looked at his daughter. "Bitiya, you should sit and eat your food too."

"But Babuji..." Khushi started, looking at the others. "Everyone still needs—"

Shashi cut her off gently. "Don't worry, Bitiya. Everyone can serve themselves now. You sit down."

Khushi finally sat and began her meal. Madhumati glared at Shashi, clearly annoyed, but he ignored her look. Once dinner was over, the family went to their rooms. Khushi stayed behind, clearing the table and washing the plates in the quiet kitchen. When the last dish was dried and put away, she finally walked toward her own room.

Khushi stood before her small idol of Devi Maiyya with folded hands. "Please keep my family happy," she whispered. "And protect them from every evil eye."

Just as she finished, a soft knock came at the door. She opened it to find Shashi standing there, looking a bit tired.

"Babuji? Please, come in," Khushi said, quickly clearing a spot on her bed for him to sit. "Is everything okay? Do you need something?".

Shashi stepped inside and watched her for a moment. He saw the colorful threads and the dupatta she was already preparing for Payal. He felt a pinch in his heart seeing how she never stopped working for others.

"I'm fine, Bitiya," he said softly, sitting down. "I just wanted to see you for a minute before you slept. You looked tired today but still make this dupatta".

Khushi smiled and sat beside him. "I’m not tired, Babuji. Helping Jiji makes me happy."

Shashi reached out and caresses her head. His expression turned serious. "That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Bitiya, we should not always be selfless. Sometimes, we must look for our own happiness, too. If something truly makes your heart happy, don't let it go. Promise me you will think about yourself too."

Khushi smile. "But Babuji, my happiness is in you, Amma, bhuaji, and Jiji. I don't want anything else."

Shashi didn't argue. He knew how stubborn her love was. He simply placed his hand on her head in a silent blessing and left the room. Khushi closed the door and lay down, drifting into a deep sleep.

She had no idea that her father’s words were a shadow of the future—and very soon, she would understand exactly what he meant.

To be continued........